SeraphxHeartilly : Hey everyone! Here's the long awaited 5th installment of Rhythm of the Heart. I'm so glad you guys have enjoyed the story so far. Be excited, this chappy contains a lotta drama! ;)
Mr. Gillespie's son shamelessly scrutinized Rinoa up and down with a pleased expression. The general's daughter couldn't help but notice how he blatantly allowed his gaze to linger on the plunge in her gown. Involuntary she scowled at the man's lecherous behavior. Caraway quickly put his hand on her shoulder in a silent reminder to be courteous. Rinoa looked into the stern face of her father and wanted to scream at him for his deceptions. Would it have hurt him to mention that one of the 'guests' he was inviting was the man he was trying to arrange her marriage with? But then if he had, most likely she would have snuck out the window and have left him the embarrassment of finding her missing when the Gillespies arrived. She realized his seemingly genuine apology must've been a ploy to divert her attention from tonight's plans.
"He even got me to wear this dress just for Gillespie!"
Caraway looked so smug as he led the guests to the dining room. As the older men walked away, the Gillespie son walked over to Rinoa.
"Hello, Miss Caraway. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I'm Nicholas Gillespie, but you can call me Nick."
"Hello. I'm Rinoa…Heartilly" She greeted back, though she was sure he already knew.
"My apologies." He said while sweeping his eyes over her body again. "My, I've seen you in photo before, but in person you are simply stunning."
Nicholas then leaned forward and kissed her hand. The gesture was such a cliché, yet still caused Rinoa's cheeks to turn the faintest pink of a rose.
"I-I think we should join them."
Rinoa motioned her head towards the men in the dining room.
"Oh course." Nicholas replied.
He held out his arm to her in what seemed to be a courteous gesture.
Rinoa accepted by linking her arm in his. At this she was reminded of Squall when he was leading her through the amphitheater. Subconsciously she was imagining that the smooth silk of Nicholas's dinner jacket was the cool leathered arm of the rock star. The feeble illusion she'd constructed was shattered when Nicholas spoke, causing her to look up and expect to see blue-gray eyes.
"If you may."
Nicholas pulled out a chair for her to sit in.
"Thank you." Rinoa said, moving to seat herself.
As she moved into sitting position she felt the unmistakable touch of Nicholas's hand caressing her, starting at the back of her knee then up to her-
A short gasp left Rinoa's mouth as she jumped up with her hands shielding her rear end.
"What do you think you doing?" she demanded at Gillespie.
He looked quite bewildered at her reaction. Quickly his face went to an innocently puzzled expression.
"Whatever are you talking about? I merely pulled out the seat for you."
As livid as she was, she decided to try and be as civil as she could around the leech.
Caraway and Mr. Gillespie watched her as confused as if she'd just started dancing on the table.
"I-I…never mind." She sat down. "Thank you for being so courteous."
Nicholas nodded to her.
"It was my pleasure."
He went to his seat across from Rinoa, and Caraway and Mr. Gillespie were back to talking business gibberish.
The ruffled young woman did her best to calm herself and attempted to at least pretend to listen to the older men's conversation. She smiled a lot and laughed when it seemed appropriate. All the while paying no attention to Nicholas. Still every once in a while he'd catch her gaze and give her a cheeky grin.
"So Rinoa, dear," Mr. Gillespie said with his loud, authoritive voice like her father's.
"Yes?"
He smiled.
"How do you fare these days? Is there a man in your life?"
Nicholas seemed to snap into attention at the last part.
"Why I've been rather good." She replied. "…and well…there might be."
All three men looked shocked. Her Father, well, bordering on outraged.
"Rinoa, honey," Caraway said with contained emotion, "Please don't tell me you're referring to that, what do you call him…musician?"
"What if I am?" she challenged.
Caraway just shook his head, most likely wishing to say more but not wanting to appear ill tempered in front of his guests.
"May I ask who this musician of yours is?" Nicholas asked. "Perhaps I've heard of him. What kind of instrument does he play? Strings, woodwinds, percussion…"
The young woman giggled at the idea of Squall being in an orchestra. The rock star would probably rather be thrown into a den of angry behemoths.
She smiled.
"His names Squall, and actually…he plays in a local rock band."
As if she made a killer punch line, the men burst into hysteric laughter.
Rinoa frowned. What was so funny?
"Oh my," Nicholas choked out between laughs. He pretended to wipe away a tear. "Sothat's the kind of man you're after?"
Rinoa raised one eyebrow at him.
"Is there a problem?" she said with sweet venom.
She took a long sip of her red wine.
"No, not at all," The emerald-eyed man snickered. "Only of course if you don't mind the Caraways mixing with the…indigent."
Oh now you've done it. She thought to herself.
She wasn't prepared for what happened next. Using both of his, Nicholas grasped her hand that had been resting on the table.
"But Darling, while the musician may provide you temporary amusement, I'm a man who can give you what you really need."
He squeezed her hand and his eyes quickly shifted over to her father then back to her.
"My only wish is to satisfy you're every need."
Quite simply Rinoa was flabbergasted. She sat perfectly silent with her eyes staring wide open at him like a porcelain doll.
He continued, "I've discussed this with my father numerous times, and with your father's permission I would like to ask for your hand in marria-"
Red wine splashed all over him. The ruby droplets ran down his face and dripped all over his white, silken shirt.
Rinoa set down her now empty crystal glass.
"Excuse me." she said with perfect grace as if nothing out of the ordinary took place. "I'm afraid I'm finished for tonight."
Without another word she strolled out of the dining room, then out to the front yard.
Her high-heels clip-clopped against the smooth stone pathway. She sat at the lion fountain and listened to the soothing sounds of the running water and the singing of the crickets.
"This can't be real." She whispered. She looked at the night sky's reflection in the water then cupped some in her hands. It felt like ice. Still, she splashed the water onto her face only to find that she indeed was awake.
Her eyes swept over to the windows and saw the men's silhouettes moving towards the front door.
Quickly she stood up from the fountain and darted as fast as she could on heels past the mansion's front gate and down the street, never stopping to look back.
The Galbadian cemetery was especially dark during the night. The many trees blocked out the light from the street lamps and night sky. Fortunately Rinoa knew her way around here. Soon she stood before the familiar grave. Her legs gave out under her and she curled up against the headstone. She sobbed against the cold stone, tracing her fingers over the carved name:
Julia Heartilly
"Mom." She sobbed. Her breathing came out in ragged gasps.
She felt the ancient remnants of a bouquet she'd brought some time ago crumple beneath her form. She didn't visit this place as often as the piano room.
"I'll replace these soon for you." She whispered.
She couldn't feel her mom's presence here as strong as in her old piano room, but she couldn't bear to be in that house right now. Still she wished she could be in the warmth of the room. This place was cold and empty.
At first it was so quiet that she thought it was her imagination, but soon she picked up on the sound of footsteps crunching leaves and twigs. Someone was heading her way.
Rinoa quickly got out of fetal position and peered into the darkness.
She saw an approaching figure. The person was rather tall, probably a man. She could see the shadow of what looked like a trench coat.
As they got closer she stepped farther back, till the headstone chilled the back of her legs.
Once the figure got closer she could see the bottom middle of his face as he stepped towards a sliver of moonlight.
He had a long diagonal scar on the bridge of his nose.
Her heart jumped in chest.
"Squall?" she gasped. A smile graced her face. She'd been dying to see him again since this morning.
"No." The man said. "But I'm afraid I'm going to have to inform him on who you really are, Rinoa Heartilly. Or should I say, Rinoa Caraway."